A blog by Sara el Hassani (1957-2015)

Tango represents an aspect of me that I consider to be fundamental to my continued health and well-being in the face of stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in my bones, diagnosed on 7th May 2009. Argentinean tango is a passion of mine and, in this photo I am dressed ready to go to a special ‘milonga’, or tango ball. (In Buenos Aires, tango is danced on hospital wards as an aid to health and well-being.) I dance Argentinean tango regularly, up to five times a week, and on a good night (which they mostly are) I can easily find myself ‘in the zone’ where my body feels light and utterly responsive, and where my mind becomes completely free and unencumbered. It is a place where I (body, mind and spirit) am at peace with myself. This is an ideal state for all people to achieve, and is invaluable to me having been diagnosed with an incurable illness and with particular vulnerabilities. I know this photo shows that I am ’up for life’ and all it has to offer, in that I am dressed in the most vibrant, blue dance dress and my expression shows that I clearly have the motivation to go out and enjoy myself. At the time of writing this blog, I remain extremely grateful for all the pleasures (great and small) that life brings, primarily in the form of other people; their warmth, prayers, chants and love.

7 Responses

Hi Sara,
Good to catch up with your blog, I was just asking Erika why we hadn’t heard from you. I am just recovering from the radiotherapy and we hope to go to Spain to visit Erika and Ken in September and your thoughts about booking a trip to South Africa have left me feeling guilty as I haven’t booked the flights yet!! Hope you ahve a good trip.
Love Denise

Lovely to hear from you again, Denise. I’m so glad you’re over your treatment and that you’re able to think about something special like visiting Erika and Ken. I’m sure it will do you the world of good. You just need to remember to be kind and gentle to yourself after the radiotherapy as it tends to take the stuffing out of you for a while!

Hi Sara, when i read your blog it sounded like my own journey! also we have the same birthdate! I am new to reading blogs and can only read the two pages you have blog regarding your up and coming treatment..have you more pages?
xx

Hi Sara,
I am sitting in a friend’s kitchen in New York and thinking of you. The sun is filtering through the stained glass windows here casting dancing shadows everywhere. Some of the panels have bright flowers on them throwing orange and yellow and reds and greens and blues across the room. The dancing shadows makes me think of you. I hope you are feeling a little stronger today and are able to enjoy a bit of summer. Sending special healing wishes. Lorraine